Pivot assembly for ride-on device

ABSTRACT

A user powered ride-on device and assemblies to facilitate ride-on device reconfiguration.

This application takes priority to and the benefit of Provisional application 62/458,007 which is also incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a user powered ride-on device and assemblies to facilitate ride-on device reconfiguration.

BACKGROUND

Propulsion ride-on devices are used for recreation, fitness, and transportation. These ride-on devices typically take advantage of a resultant force that may be gained by a repetitive single user motion in combination with an appropriate mechanical configuration of the ride-on device. Generally, the user stands on a deck or board during the ride. The size and shape of these ride-on devices may sometimes make storage and transport difficult. Mechanisms to assist in reconfiguring the ride-on devices provide opportunities for users to enjoy multiple recreational options with the same device.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, a ride-on device may include a deck, a pivot assembly, a front axle assembly, a rear axle assembly, and a steering column. The deck may define a recess. The pivot assembly may be mounted to a forward portion of the deck for rotation. The front axle assembly may be mounted to the pivot assembly for synchronized movement and may include one or more wheels. The rear axle assembly may be mounted to the deck at a rearward portion. The steering column may be mounted to the pivot assembly and sized for storage within the recess. The steering column and pivot assembly may be arranged with one another such that the steering column may selectively rotate with the front axle or pivot between at least an upright and stowed position.

According to another embodiment, a ride-on device may include a deck, a pivot assembly, a front axle assembly, a rear axle assembly, and a steering column. The deck may define an aperture. The pivot assembly may be mounted to a forward portion of the deck for rotation and may include a base sized for rotation within the aperture and a cap mounted to the base and defining a cutout. The front axle assembly may be mounted to the base of the pivot assembly. The rear axle assembly may be mounted to a rearward portion of the deck. The steering column may be mounted to the pivot assembly. The pivot assembly and deck may be arranged with one another such that rotation of the steering column directs rotation of the front axle assembly.

According to yet another embodiment, a ride-on device may include a deck, a pivot assembly, a steering column, and a pair of brackets. The deck may define a recess. The pivot assembly may be mounted to the deck for rotation and include a front axle secured thereto. The steering column may be mounted to the pivot assembly, sized for storage within the recess, and include removable handles. The pair of brackets may be mounted to a lower side of the deck and may each be sized to receive one of the removable handles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure I is a perspective view of an example of a ride-on device shown in a first configuration.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the ride-on device of Figure I shown with a steering column partially lowered.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the ride-on device of Figure I showing an underside of the ride-on device and the steering column stowed.

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the ride-on device of Figure I showing the steering column stowed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ride-on device of Figure I shown partially exploded.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view, in cross-section, of a portion of the ride-on device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a first perspective view of a ride-on device with a steering column in a stowed position and in which the ride-on device is in a skateboard configuration.

FIG. 6 is a second perspective view of the ride-on device of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a first side view of the ride-on device of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a second side view of the ride-on device of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the ride-on device of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a rear view of the ride-on device of FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the ride-on device of FIG. 5.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the ride-on device of FIG. 5.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a ride-on device with a steering column in an upright position and in which the ride-on device is in a scooter configuration.

FIG. 14 is a lower perspective view of the ride-on device of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a first side view of the ride-on device of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a second side view of the ride-on device of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a front view of the ride-on device of FIG. 13.

FIG. 18 is a rear view of the ride-on device of FIG. 13.

FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the ride-on device of FIG. 13.

FIG. 20 is a top view of the ride-on device of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and other embodiments can take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ embodiments of the present disclosure. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures can be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. Various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particular applications or implementations.

Figure I shows an example of a ride-on device assembly, referred to generally as a ride-on device 10 herein. The ride-on device assembly 10 may include a front axle assembly 14 and a rear axle assembly 16. A front pair of wheels 18 may be mounted to the front axle assembly 14 for rotation. A rear pair of wheels 20 may be mounted to the rear axle assembly 16 for rotation. The rear axle assembly 16 may be mounted to a deck 24. The deck 24 may define a recess 28 and an aperture 30. The aperture 30 may be sized to receive a pivot assembly 34. The pivot assembly 34 may be arranged with the deck 24 and within the aperture 30 such that the pivot assembly 34 may rotate. The front axle assembly 14 may be mounted to the pivot assembly 34 such that the front axle assembly 14 and the pivot assembly 34 rotate together.

A steering column 36 may be mounted to the pivot assembly 34 such that the steering column 36 and the pivot assembly 34 rotate together. A handle bar assembly 40 may be mounted to the steering column 36. The handle bar assembly 40 may include a pair of removable handles 42. A pair of brackets 46 may be mounted to a lower side of the deck 24. Each of the pair of brackets 46 may be sized to receive one of the removable handles 42. A portion of the handle bar assembly 40 may be stylized as a character, animal, or the like. For example, a portion of the handle bar assembly 40 may include one or more eyes. In another example, a portion of the handle bar assembly 40 may include a face.

FIGS. 2A through 2C show examples of configurations of the ride-on device 10. As described above, the steering column 36 may be mounted to the pivot assembly 34 for pivotal movement. The recess 28 may be sized to receive the steering column 36. For example, the steering column 36 may pivot from an upright position, as shown in FIG. 1, to a stowed position in which the steering column 36 is disposed within the recess 28, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C. As such, the ride-on device 10 may operate as a scooter or a skateboard.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show further details of components of the pivot assembly 34. For example, the pivot assembly 34 may include a base member 50, a first O-ring 54, a second O-ring 56, a middle member 58, and an upper member 62. The base member 50 may be mounted to the front axle assembly 14. The first O-ring 54 may be disposed between the base member 50 and the deck 24. For example, the first O-ring 54 may include a series of ball bearings 53 to assist in facilitating rotational movement of the base member 50 and the front axle 14. The second O-ring 56 may be disposed between the middle member 58 and the deck 24. For example, the second O-ring 56 may include a series of ball bearings 59 to assist in facilitating rotational movement of the middle member 58 and components secured thereto, such as the steering column 36. The base member 50 and the middle member 58 may be arranged with one another to rotate together such that the rotation of the steering column 36 may direct rotation of the first axle assembly 14.

A lower portion 70 of the steering column 36 may be mounted to the middle member 58 for pivotal movement. For example, the lower portion 72 may be disposed within the region 72 of the middle member 58. The upper member 62 may be mounted to the deck to assist in retaining the lower portion 70 of the steering column 36 within the region 72 of the middle member 58. The upper member 62 may define a cutout 76 sized to accommodate pivotal movement of the steering column

For example, when the removable handles 42 are removed from the handle bar assembly 40, the steering column 36 may pivot downward from the upright position into the recess 28 in the stowed position. In the stowed position, the steering column 36 thus prevents rotation of the front axle 14. When the steering column 36 is in the stowed position, the ride-on device 10 may operate as a skateboard. When the steering column 36 is in the upright position, the ride-on device 10 may operate as a scooter. When the steering column 36 is in the upright position, the steering column 36 may direct rotation of the front axle assembly.

FIGS. 5 through 12 show additional views of the ride-on device 10 in which the steering column 36 is shown in the stowed position.

FIGS. 13 through 20 show additional views of the ride-on device 10 in which the steering column 36 is shown in the upright position.

While various embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims. The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously described, the features of various embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments of the disclosure that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments could have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that one or more features or characteristics can be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. These attributes can include, but are not limited to marketability, appearance, consistency, robustness, customer acceptability, reliability, accuracy, etc. As such, embodiments described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics are not outside the scope of the disclosure and can be desirable for particular applications. 

What is claimed: 1) A ride-on device comprising; the following: a deck; a pivot assembly; a front axle assembly; a rear axle assembly; a steering column; at least one of the following: said deck defines a recess; said pivot assembly mounted to a forward portion of the said deck for rotation; said front axle assembly is mounted to the said pivot assembly for synchronized movement and/or includes one or more wheels; said rear axle assembly is mounted to the deck at a rearward portion; said steering column is mounted to the said pivot assembly and/or sized for storage within the recess; said steering column and said pivot assembly are arranged with one another such that the said steering column may selectively rotate with the said front axle or pivot between at least an upright and stowed position; said steering column and said pivot assembly are arranged with one another such that the steering column may selectively rotate with the front axle or pivot between at least an upright and stowed position; 2) The invention of claim I additional comprising at least one of the following: said deck defines an aperture; said pivot assembly is mounted to a forward portion of the said deck for rotation and/or including a base sized for rotation within the aperture and a cap mounted to the said base and defining a cutout; said front axle assembly mounted to the said base of the said pivot assembly; said rear axle assembly is mounted to a rearward portion of the said deck; said steering column is mounted to the said pivot assembly and/or sized for storage within the said recess; the said pivot assembly and said deck are arranged with one another such that rotation of the said steering column directs rotation of the said front axle assembly, said steering column and said pivot assembly are arranged with one another such that the said steering column may selectively rotate with the said front axle or pivot between at least an upright and stowed position; the said pivot assembly mounted to the said deck for rotation and include said front axle secured thereto; said steering column is mounted to the said pivot assembly, and/or sized for storage within the said recess, and/or including removable handles; a pair of brackets or said pair of brackets also being mounted to a lower side of the said deck and/or each sized to receive one of the said removable handles. If present, the said aperture is sized to receive said pivot assembly; the said pivot assembly arranged with the said deck and within the said aperture such that the said pivot assembly can rotate; the said front axle assembly is mounted to the said pivot assembly such that the said front axle assembly and the said pivot assembly rotate together; the said steering column is mounted to the said pivot assembly such that the said steering column and the said pivot assembly rotate together; having a handle bar assembly is mounted to the steering column; if present said handle bar assembly includes a pair of removable handles; having pair of brackets mounted to a lower side of the deck; if present the said pair of brackets are sized to receive one of the said removable handles, the said steering column is mounted to the pivot assembly for pivotal movement; if present the said recess is sized to receive the steering column; the pivot assembly comprises of a base member, a first O-ring, a second O-ring, a middle member, and an upper member. If present, the said base member is to be mounted to the front axle assembly. If present, the said first O-ring is disposed between the said base member and the said deck; If present, the said first O-ring includes a series of ball bearings to assist in facilitating rotational movement of the said base member and the said front axle; If present, the said second O-ring is disposed between the said middle member and the said deck; If present the said second O-ring may include a series of ball bearings to assist in facilitating rotational movement of the said middle member and components secured thereto, such as the said steering column; If present, the said base member and the said middle member are arranged with one another to rotate together such that the rotation of the said steering directs rotation of the first axle assembly; A lower portion of the said steering column is mounted to the said middle member for pivotal movement; If present, the said lower portion is disposed within the region of the said middle member, If present, the said upper member is mounted to the said deck to assist in retaining the lower portion of the said steering column within the region of the said middle member; If present, the said upper member defines a cutout sized to accommodate pivotal movement of the said steering column; If present, the removable handles are removed from the said handle bar assembly; If present, the said steering column pivots downward from the upright position into the said recess in the stowed position; Said steering column can be stowed. 3) The invention of claim 2 wherein in the stowed position, the said steering column prevents rotation of the front axle. 4) The invention of claim 2 wherein when the said steering column is in the stowed position, the ride-on device may operate as a skateboard. 5) The invention of claim 2 wherein when the said steering column is in the upright position, the ride-on device may operate as a scooter. 6) The invention of claim 2 wherein when the said steering column is in the upright position, the said steering column directs rotation of the front axle assembly. 7) The invention of claim I wherein said steering column can be stowed. 8) The invention of claim I wherein said ride-on is a scooter or skateboard. 9) The invention of claim 2 wherein a portion of said handle bar assembly if present is stylized as at least one of the following in part or in whole: character, animal, thing, vehicle, monster, plane, boat, rocket, costume or costume part or costume accessory, body parts, eyes, face, head, hair, beard, ears, mouth, alien, monster, fish, tree, rock, planet, character, personality or celebrity image or likeness, car, truck, bicycle, motorcycle, cell, place, building, location, brand, brand name, logo, image, product, invention, creation, or the like. 